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122
B/Fwd. 1,745
Insects 311
Merchandise Marks Act 1
Noise 68
Offensive Odours 141
Overcrowding 3
Rodents Rats 19033
Mice 142 1,175
Shops Acts 5
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 3
Smoke 120
Squirrels 53
Water 13
Yards and Paving 3
Others 65
3,767
14. RODENT AND INSECT PEST CONTROL.
Again fewer complaints of rodents were received during the year
which may be an indication that the intensive work previously carried
out is having some effect and that work done on surveys may have
anticipated complaints which would otherwise have been made.
More complaints were received of nuisance caused by pigeons.
These arise from the encouragement of flocks to assemble at points
where they are regularly fed and in some instances control has been
made extremely difficult because of the lack of co-operation by some
members of the public. A number of birds were trapped during the
year.
It is not generally known that pigeons are carriers of disease
and it is better to keep their numbers down to reasonable proportions
rather than expose residents to a health hazard and to the obvious
nuisance they become when encouraged. If the practice of feeding
pigeons were discontinued their numbers in towns could soon be reduced
to an acceptable figure.
There was an increase in the number of complaints received in
respect of squirrels and advice was given on trapping and proofing.
The extensive damage which can be caused by these creatures is not
realised until the buildings have been invaded. Here again residents
are not easily convinced that they should not feed them if they do not
wish to attract them to the vicinity of dwellings.